Electrical play, electro-stimulation,
erotic electro-stim all basically mean the same thing: using
electrically
powered devices in safe, sane and consensual BDSM games! It may seem
like
a scary notion to many people, but it can easily be made safe provided
two simple rules are followed: only use devices powered by low-powered
batteries, orplug-in-powered
appliances that
have been designed to "step down" the voltage and regulates the power;
and never place any contacts or electrodes
above the waist (including on hands or arms), because
even
small currents in the heart or brain can disrupt those organs' own
delicate
electrical activity with serious consequences.

So,
what
gadgets can we play with? There are many possibilities, including
a few devices specifically made for electrical play, various
electro-medical
devices, etc. such as Low frequency AC or pulsed DC devices, such as “TENS”
and “EMS” units, as well as more sophisticated devices made
especially
for electrical play and high voltage, high frequency, ultra low current
devices, or “Violet Wands”.

Now you
ask,
"How do voltage,
resistance and current interact?" Just as having more water pressure or
a larger hose will fill the swimming pool faster, the higher the
voltage,
and/or the lower the resistance, the more current will flow in an
electrical
circuit. (“Ohm’s Law”).

During
electrical play we
often have direct control over the voltage, usually by means of an
intensity
knob or perhaps a pair of buttons which raise and lower a device’s
output
level. We also have some control over the resistance in our electrical
play circuit, because we determine the placement of electrodes on the
body,
and the type of electrodes used, including their size and shape.

There are
factors which we
don’t control however, such as the condition of the skin: Dry skin has
a much higher resistance than moist skin does, and this can actually
change
during a scene as perspiration builds up (a common reaction to stress
or
to fear), or as the skin “blushes” or becomes “flushed” with arousal.
Therefore,
the best approach is to be prepared for compensated the unexpected
reactions
as the scene progresses! It is equally important to note that
electrical
(electro-stimulation) play is not an exact science, so even if you
believe
you know your "sub/patient's normal reactions" and your equipment,
“setting
the dial to 6” will not produce the same effect every
time
you play!

AC
vs DC

There’s
more
to electrical
play than just passing any old sort of current through someone’s
naughty
bits. We have many flavors to choose from, and electricity can be
applied
in a wide variety of different signals and patterns, all of which feel
very different when applied to the body! To understand this we need to
explore the differences between AC and DC voltages.

A DC
signal
has something
called “polarity”. We’re all familiar with the fact that a battery
(which
supplies DC power) has two terminals, marked positive (+) and negative
(–). Current flows from the positive to the negative terminal. This is
called “direct current” electricity, or “DC”. We can make a
simple
DC current more interesting by rapidly switching it on and off,
creating
a “square wave” signal. This can vary in its repetition rate, or
“frequency”,
and also in the width of the pulses “on time” as compared to their “off
time”, usually called “pulse width” or sometimes “duty cycle”. This
type
of signal is commonly found in TENS and EMS units. A pulsed DC signal,
there is still a positive and a negative terminal, and the current will
always flow in one direction.

Some
devices
produce AC, or
“alternating current” signals. An AC signal constantly changes
polarity,
and current flows first in one direction, then in the other. The rate
at
which the polarity changes is called the “frequency”, which we measure
in cycles per second, or “Hertz”. (Hz.) AC signals can be simple or
they
can be very rich and complex.

The
Violet Wand

A
"violet
wand"
resembles
a hand-held power tool with little glass bulbs sticking out of one end!
When turned on, the bulb glows to a violet color light, while inside
the bulb sizzles and crackles. By sweeping the glass electrodes (or any
other of the wonderful accessories that come with a complete Violet
Wand Kit) will cause a static discharge and sparks to jump to
the
skin's surface giving a zap sensation!
These do not send current through
the
body, therefore they are safe for use anywhere [except the eyes or
major nerve
clusters (i.e. the top of the spine)].

Most
use the Violet Wand DIRECTLY. This means an electrode tube (a shaped
glass lightbulb type apparatus) to send the arc of sparks from the Wand
to the skin's surface. Another method is INDIRECTLY, which utilizes a
"Body Contact" device, that allows the electrical current to pass from
the Wand through the controller, thus making the entire body (and
parts!) behave like an electrode! Running electrified fingers
over
erogenous zones and experimenting with the many ways of using other
body parts… even kissing and
electrified oral sex are possible! Our Violet
Wand Kits contain more detailed instructions and care guides

Power
Box,
Electro-Stimulation, TENS

Trying the unit out on
yourself is really
the only way to learn. One thing to remember with anything that has
settings
or dials is that different people have different pain thresholds. Even
the same person may experience and interpret sensations differently at
different times -- just because one setting is pleasurable to one
person
doesn't mean another one else will find it so.

A good place to start
exploring is the
legs. Try putting one terminal on the inside of your thigh about three
inches from the crotch, the other one on the inside of your ankle. Good
lubrication of the skin/contact pads is essential -- water is fine for
the genuine re-usable gel type pads that come with some of the units.
For
dry re-usable terminals or anything home-made, water-based lube (Surgical Lube)
is OK, or use Spectra
Gel which
is a conductive gel lubricant, if more conductivity is needed.

Experiment with the
various
settings of
your unit, always with the unit turned off first and re-started after
adjustments.
A good start is to set intensity to about one third of maximum and then
to dial in various pulse rates and widths of signal to experience the
different
sensations. Next choose approximately 40% pulse rate and signal width
and
increase intensity. You should feel either calf or thigh muscles
respond
by contracting (twitching) in rhythm with the pulse setting. You may
need
to adjust the position of the pads slightly or check for good contact
if
your muscles do not respond.

When you reach an
intensity
level at which
your muscles contract comfortably, increase the pulse rate until you
reach
a point at which the pulse rate is too fast for your muscles to react
--
they will cramp instead. Depending on your point of view this can be
either
unbearably painful or an incredible turn-on. Next try putting a pad on
each ankle -- really nice. Then try putting one or both pads on the
sole
of your foot. Lastly, if you have two sets of outlets, put one set of
pads
on each leg.

From here on it's
smooth
sailing! If you
can't remember basic human anatomy from school biology, take a look at
a fitness or anatomy book at the library and see where all the leg, ass
and stomach muscles are located. The principle is really simple --
place
the contacts a little beyond where muscles connect to joints and
tendons.

Placement
of Electrodes

The
devices output is applied to the body through either adhesive
conductive gel pads, or through insertable
electrodes, and it can take time and practice to find the electrode
combinations and device settings that work best for a particular
person.
The best electrode placement will also depend upon the results you’re
trying
to achieve.

Making good contact
between
the skin and
the electrodes is vital -- more on how to do that later. If you don't
do
this, you won't get good results with TENS units, while you might get
electrical
burns from some of the bigger toys like hand crank magnetos. You also
need
to know that the smaller the contact point, the more intense the
sensation
-- clips and clamps feel quite different than a contact pad! So always
start at low power and work up slowly.

Another very important
safety point is
not to tie someone tightly when using electricity. You will be
stimulating
their muscles either directly, or make them jump with the sensations.
They
could injure themselves easily if they can't move. People react
differently,
so a setting that might make your leg twitch might cause a major leg
movement
in another -- consider this when tying someone.

Several
companies make TENS/EMS
like devices which have been designed especially for BDMS Electrical
Play,
and for E-Stim. These devices tend to offer much higher maximum output
levels than TENS and EMS units provide, and their waveforms are usually
tailored to provide sensations more suitable for our purposes. ThePES
Power Box can be used with a 9 Volt battery or A/C powered,
which
is recommended for the strongest performance of the various attachments
electrodes, which require more power.

The TENS
units are battery-powered, with control of pulse intensity and
pulse frequency, and two leads that can be attached to stimulation pads
which adhere to the skin for contact. These can produce sensations
ranging
from a mild tingle to a thrilling trembling buzz to a serious jolt.
Remember,
below the waist only.

Erotic
Electro Stimulation Play Aftercare

Prolonged
and
intense sessions
with TENS, EMS and similar “power boxes” can sometimes result in
electrolyte
depletion, which is best treated with rest, and by drinking fluids to
keep
hydrated. (Sports drinks such as Gatorade work best.)

One
common
side effect is
a temporary phantom tingling sensation called “after-buzz”. Some may
also
experience a temporary numbness, or perhaps muscle weakness in the area
where electrodes were attached, or in areas served by the nerves which
were affected.

If you’re
using safe equipment
and practices it’s actually pretty difficult to harm someone while
doing
electrical/electro stimulation play. In the event of any mishaps,
however, turning off and disconnecting any electrical play devices.

Healthy
Tip: Electrical (electro stimulation) play is not for
everyone; get a
medical
check up before participating in any BDSM play. This is even more
important
in the case of electrical play, if you have any doubts about your (or
your
play partner's) overall health. That's a huge part of safe and sane!